Darlene Barter

Darlene (Hines) Barter passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the age of 86.

She was born to Ruby (Lemley) Hines and Joe Hines in Oakville, Texas, May 23, 1933, and lived on the family farm until her father died in 1943. She moved with her mother and sisters (Evelyn and Myrtle Nell) to George West, Texas where she graduated from George West High School in 1952.  While in high school, she was in the pep squad, and served as cheerleader and drum major. Later she attended McAllen and Harlingen Valley Central business colleges.

She was married to the love of her life, Bobby Jess Barter, on August 30, 1952, and moved to a small ranch in the Rio Grande Valley where she spent most of her life. In March 2014, they moved to San Antonio and later after Bobby’s death, Darlene moved to Fredericksburg, Texas so that she could be closer to her grandson, Jesse and his family.

In 1967, before the days of women working in the produce industry, Darlene broke the gender barrier by becoming the first woman to manage a federal marketing order. When she retired in 2001, her career had spanned 34 years and she served as manager for not only the Lettuce and Onion industry, but also concurrently managed both the Melon Committee and in the 1990’s the Texas Valley Citrus Committee. Her primary responsibilities were enforcing the marketing order regulations and overseeing the market development and research programs. She was instrumental in amending the Onion Marketing Order in 1973 which gave the South Texas Onion Committee the vehicle to collect funds for onion research and promotion.  From this research, the world is now enjoying the famous Texas 1015 SuperSweet Onion as well as other improved varieties of onions.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jimmy, Tom and Euel; sisters Virginia, Margie, Mary Lois and Edna Merle; husband, Bobby Jess Barter; and, son Bobby (Booger Bob) Barter.

She is survived by her grandsons, Bandera Jess Barter and Jesse Samuel Barter and wife Sarah; along with her great-grandchildren, Brantley and Adelyn; and her adopted son, David Barter. She is also survived by her loving and large Hines family including brother Charlie (wife, Polly); and sisters Evelyn Hines Johnson (husband, Fred), and Myrtle Nell Custer; along with many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, as she loved them.

The family would like to thank her beloved Pastors Art Beckwith (Rio Grande Fellowship Church) and Pat Traxler (Brush Country Cowboy Church).

Services will be held at Brush Country Cowboy Church, 1417 South Hwy. 37 Access Rd., George West, TX 78022 (located at the corner of CR 381 and Hwy. 37 South bound access) at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Interment will follow the service at George West Cemetery.

Directions to Brush Country Cowboy Church: From the north, exit at Oakville #65 and stay on the access road for approximately 3 miles. From the south, exit at FM 799, turn left under the freeway then right to continue north one mile on the south bound access road.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

Rio Grande Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 1029, Progreso, TX  78579 or to: Brush Country Cowboy Church, P.O. Box 1426, George West, TX 78022.